New engine advice
Discussion
Hi,
A relative is after some advice. He has a 1993 live axle 1700 Supersprint (4 speed) and is debating whether to change the engine in the existing car or sell it and get a more modern Caterham.
The main aim would be to end up with a car that's more competitive at the sprint/hillclimbs the owner occasionally enters.
I imagine the car is probably worth about £8k and there might be around £2k of additional budget - to be put towards a new car or alternatively, a new engine for the current car.
The guy's pretty handy and would be happy to do the work himself.
So, what engine options are available? Which other components would need to be changed - obviously the exhaust, but what about the gearbox, axle?
A relative is after some advice. He has a 1993 live axle 1700 Supersprint (4 speed) and is debating whether to change the engine in the existing car or sell it and get a more modern Caterham.
The main aim would be to end up with a car that's more competitive at the sprint/hillclimbs the owner occasionally enters.
I imagine the car is probably worth about £8k and there might be around £2k of additional budget - to be put towards a new car or alternatively, a new engine for the current car.
The guy's pretty handy and would be happy to do the work himself.
So, what engine options are available? Which other components would need to be changed - obviously the exhaust, but what about the gearbox, axle?
I am sure the accepted cost to a Zetec conversion is around £3k when you add in the exhaust, sump and possibly an ECU too.
Depending on whether his car is a live axle or De Dion chassis (the 1700 supersprint engine was fitted to both and as its a four speed car, I would expect it to be a live axle car as De Dion typically had 5 speed boxes) a marina live axle will be good to 170 BHP maximum which is pretty much on the limit of any upgraded engine he will be looking at. He would be able to get a Ford English live axle which can take 250 BHP but it is much heavier, will need some modification by Arch Motors for its bracketry and will need the back of the tunnel opening up slightly to accomodate the propshaft flange. Unless he wants to run different PCD wheels too (front / rear) he will also need to change the front Triumph hubs (3.75" PCD) to match the new rear ones (104mm or 4.25" PCD) on the Ford axle. On the upside, it does mean there is a greater selection of used wheels available for DD fitting as he will need new rims too!
For his budget I would look to sell the car and put the upgrade money into the pot and see what is available for around his budget. He should be able to benefit from someone else's upgrades as they will inevitably take a hit if they have had the work done and paid the full whack for the upgrade - much like relative would be doing.
HTH
T
Depending on whether his car is a live axle or De Dion chassis (the 1700 supersprint engine was fitted to both and as its a four speed car, I would expect it to be a live axle car as De Dion typically had 5 speed boxes) a marina live axle will be good to 170 BHP maximum which is pretty much on the limit of any upgraded engine he will be looking at. He would be able to get a Ford English live axle which can take 250 BHP but it is much heavier, will need some modification by Arch Motors for its bracketry and will need the back of the tunnel opening up slightly to accomodate the propshaft flange. Unless he wants to run different PCD wheels too (front / rear) he will also need to change the front Triumph hubs (3.75" PCD) to match the new rear ones (104mm or 4.25" PCD) on the Ford axle. On the upside, it does mean there is a greater selection of used wheels available for DD fitting as he will need new rims too!
For his budget I would look to sell the car and put the upgrade money into the pot and see what is available for around his budget. He should be able to benefit from someone else's upgrades as they will inevitably take a hit if they have had the work done and paid the full whack for the upgrade - much like relative would be doing.
HTH
T
He could go with a bike engine, but £2000 would be really pushing it, but you could do it, just. Would need to be very thrifty and not get any custom made stuff.
Axle would not need changing either. There are a few mods you can do to the Ital, to make it better. Shim the halfshafts, and overfill. Or even better is to fit some oil seals to where the shafts go through the axle plates, this stops the major track problem of oil starvation when all the oil disappears up the far end of the diff on long corners !
Axle would not need changing either. There are a few mods you can do to the Ital, to make it better. Shim the halfshafts, and overfill. Or even better is to fit some oil seals to where the shafts go through the axle plates, this stops the major track problem of oil starvation when all the oil disappears up the far end of the diff on long corners !
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